KINGSTON, Jamaica – England Women defeated West Indies by five wickets at Sabina Park on Wednesday to grab a 3-2 win in the closely contested five-match One-Day International series in Jamaica.

West Indies Women, who won the toss and batted first, were bowled out for a disappointing 155. Captain Stafanie Taylor made 57 – her third half-century of the series.

England’s slow left-arm orthodox bowler Alex Hartley, who was joint player of the series with Taylor, grabbed 4-24.

In their response, England coasted to 158-5. Middle-order batter Natalie Sciver made 58 not out.

West Indies off-spinner Afy Fletcher grabbed 2-28.

Scores: West Indies 155 (47.1 overs); England 158-5 (38.5 overs)

With the final three games of the series offering vital points towards qualification for next year’s ICC Women’s ODI Championship to be staged by the England and Wales Cricket Board, the visitors earned four points from two wins.

West Indies, who won game four in dramatic fashion at Sabina Park on Sunday, claimed two points. The teams had shared the opening two games hosted at Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium over a week ago.

Australia, top of the championship table on 30 points, have already qualified for the Women’s tournament. England are second with 23 points, while West Indies are a point behind in third. Fourth-placed New Zealand have 20 points. The top four teams gain automatic places to the 2017 women’s showpiece.

Sanjay Myers